DNR

Snake Information & Resources

Snakes of Georgia

Snakes are common across Georgia, even in urban and suburban areas. As development and population growth continue in Georgia, encounters between humans and snakes will increase.

Georgia is fortunate to have among the highest biodiversity of snakes in the United States with 46 species. Snakes can be found from the mountains of northern Georgia to the barrier islands along the Atlantic coast. The rich diversity of snake species makes Georgia ideal for observing and learning about snakes.

According to the National Wildlife Federation, at least 20 percent of the U.S. population suffers some degree of snake fear. Regardless of the cause, extreme fear is unnecessary. Snakes are not under every rock or behind every tree; encounters are relatively infrequent. Typically, the more people learn about snakes, the less they fear them. By learning about species identification and distribution as well as the fascinating natural history of these reptiles, you will greatly reduce your fear of Georgia's snakes and enjoy the outdoors more.

Snakes of Georgia and South Carolina: produced with The University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. This site provides information about the biology of snakes, as well as information and photographs useful for identifying snake species.

Introduction

Simply hearing the word snake sends shivers up some folk's spine. However, snakes are an important component of our ecosystem in Georgia because of their major role as both a predator and prey. Snakes are economically beneficially because they eat rats, mice, and other animals deemed to be pests. Some snakes have been used as bioindicators to assess pollutants in terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems. Unfortunately, many species of snakes are declining as a result of human activities. Thankfully, of the 46 snake species that occur in Georgia, only two are considered legally threatened, the eastern indigo snake and the southern hognose snake.

Non-Venomous Snakes in Georgia

Eastern Green Watersnake

Brown Watersnake

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Banded Watersnake

Northern Watersnake

Queen Snake

Striped Crayfish Snake

Glossy Crayfish Snake

Black Swamp Snake

Brown Snake

Florida Brown Snake

Red-bellied Snake

Eastern Ribbon Snake

Common Garter Snake

Smooth Earth Snake

Rough Earth Snake

Eastern Hognose Snake

Southern Hognose Snake

Ringneck Snake

Eastern Worm Snake

Pine Woods Snake

Mud Snake

Rainbow Snake

Black Racer

Coachwhip

Rough Green Snake

Corn Snake

Eastern Rat Snake

Gray Rat Snake

Pine Snake

Common Kingsnake

Black Kingsnake

Mole Kingsnake

Scarlet Kingsnake

Eastern Milk Snake

Scarlet Snake

Southeastern Crowned Snake

Florida Crowned Snake

Eastern Indigo Snake

Brahminy Blind Snake (non-native)

Venomous Snakes In Georgia

Copperhead

Pigmy Rattlesnake

Timber Rattlesnake

Cottonmouth

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Eastern Coral Snake

Biology

Snakes are reptiles characterized by elongated bodies and a lack of limbs. Snakes are closely related to lizards, but do not have external ears or eyelids. The skin of snakes is dry and scaly, not slimy like some people believe. Snakes have a forked tongue used to "sample" microscopic particles from the air. The particles are transferred to the Jacobson's Organ to taste the air to figure out its surroundings. Snakes are "cold-blooded" meaning they rely on their surroundings for body heat. As a result, snakes cannot tolerate extreme temperatures. Therefore, when it is cold or extremely hot outside, snakes are relatively inactive.

Living With Snakes

Snakes can be found in most backyards, parks, and woodlands throughout Georgia. Many species are secretive, spending most of their time underground or under cover. Active gardeners may occasionally see small ringneck, worm, red-bellied, brown, earth, and crowned snakes. None of these species are much bigger than a large earthworm and do not bite. Several larger snake species also frequent backyards, especially corn and rat snakes, as well as racers. These larger snakes will eat mice, rats, and occasionally birds and their eggs. Snakes often take refuge in piles of brush or firewood. Water snakes are occasionally found in areas bordering streams, lakes, swamps, or farm ponds.

Occasionally, snakes searching for rodents or eggs, or a place to shed their skin, will take refuge in barns, crawl spaces underneath homes, or sometimes in a home. The best way to keep snakes from entering your home or other building is to prevent snakes and snake food (rodents) from entering your home. Closing up all possible entrance locations is a must. Next, a rodent control program should be put in place to eliminate the food attraction for snakes.

By learning about species identification and distribution as well as the fascinating natural history of these reptiles, you will greatly reduce your fear of Georgia's snakes and enjoy the outdoors more.

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